JOHN DAY — Lithuanian-born Karolis “Carlos” Bruzas wants you to think of Velvet Touch Car Care Center in John Day for all your automotive needs.

Velvet Touch originally opened as a car wash back in 1996. These days you can still get your car washed and detailed at the establishment while also inquiring about auto repairs, financing and even the purchase of your own personal vehicle without ever having to leave Grant County.

Bruzas bought the business about 10 years ago and said the transformation from a humble car wash into an all-encompassing, automobile-focused enterprise grew out of his enthusiasm for cars.

“I’m a car fanatic myself, you know,” Bruzas said. “Everyone who has questions about cars, they come over to me all the time because of all the connections I have and everything.”

Answering those questions and helping people with their vehicular issues led to a revelation for Bruzas.

“Why can’t I just make a shop here?” he thought.

Bruzas said he added car sales to the menu after a chance conversation with a friend. 

“A friend of mine, who is the owner of Auto Kings in Bend, was like, ‘Well, let’s try selling cars,'” he said.

Now, Bruzas said, he’s the only car dealer in Grant County.

The partnership with Auto Kings gives Grant County residents more than 250 used cars to choose from. Bruzas said cars that are not already in John Day can be brought here, meaning residents don’t have to travel to Bend, Ontario or Boise to shop for their next car if they don’t want to.

“People say it’s nice to have that,” he said. “They go onto our website, the Auto Kings website, and they can see the vehicles down there and we can get them here so they don’t have to drive to Bend or to Redmond or to Madras. We can do all the financing and paperwork here.”

Business started off slowly but has picked up as more and more people become aware they can purchase a car without having to plan a road trip for the task. Bruzas said the dealership has sold 15 cars during its best month and as many as five during a single week.

The recent addition of car sales, he added, means Velvet Touch Car Care Center is truly a one-stop shop for all things automotive.

“We do everything,” Bruzas said. “We fix cars, we clean cars, we get financing for the cars (and) we sell cars.”

NAME: Velvet Touch Car Care Center

HOURS: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday

LOCATION: 803 S. Canyon Boulevard, John Day

SERVICES: Auto repair, washing, detailing and sales